Chapter 1

Long Country. The World Cup qualifiers are broadcast exclusively by official media.

However, this match has been distributed to several domestic online live streaming platforms with significant influence, all of which have obtained the opportunity to broadcast it.

More than a dozen signal sources have been allocated, a grand scale indeed.

He Shiren and coach Duan are providing live commentary from the Mingkun Stadium, while other commentators such as Zhan Lu are doing so from the broadcasting studio.

This match is a feast for all Long Country football fans.

During this time slot, even the national news broadcast News Simulcast inserted a piece of information about the game.

"Zhao Gang, a player from Manchester City in the English Premier League, will be making his debut for the Long Country national team. Our station will broadcast the match live later."

"What does that mean? CCTV-1 is going to broadcast it directly?"

"It sounds like that's the case. Such a big deal?"

"The program schedule has been out for a long time. The broadcast of this match is right after News Simulcast. Don't you guys even look at it..."

Some elderly people who closely follow Long Country matches have never even heard of Zhao Gang's name. Watching the news, they wondered why they were specifically mentioning this player.

He must be very good, right?

They'll have to watch closely later, so they can go to the village head tomorrow and discuss it with everyone.

Many Long Country fans are already sitting in front of their TVs and computers, waiting.

There are also a large number of fans watching the online live broadcast on their phones, as they don't have the means to sit in front of a TV.

Right now, the timing is perfect for Long Country fans. They've just finished dinner, and watching the match won't interfere with their sleep.

Many fans are already trembling with excitement even before the match has started.

Finally, after listening to the short introduction from the host in the broadcasting studio, He Shiren's voice came through.

"Hello, viewers, welcome everyone..."

At the same time, the commentators on other online platforms also began their introductions.

This match not only has professional commentators, but also some popular celebrities and retired former national team players.

Sun Jihai is watching the game with Zhan Lu and coach Zhang.

"Both teams have announced their starting lineups for this match. Qatar's starting lineup and formation should remain unchanged, still their favored 352, with a large number of players packed in the midfield. This gives them a significant advantage in controlling the ball and competing for possession in the middle and attacking thirds.

There are two changes. Mussa and Breyaf replace Yasser, and Akram starts. These two players are more defensively inclined, so Qatar's objective is clear: to establish a solid defense first."

"We will introduce the specific starting lineups to the audience later.

Let's first take a look at the Long Country starting lineup that everyone is particularly concerned about!"

"Since taking office, Lippi has made sweeping reforms to the national team. The starting lineup for this match retains only two players from before, Feng Xiaoting and Wu Lei, making changes to as many as nine players!

In the back line, it's almost entirely composed of players from the Evergrande team that Lippi is extremely familiar with. Feng Xiaoting partners with Mei Fang as the two center-backs, with Jiang Zhipeng and Zhang Linpeng on the left and right sides respectively.

In midfield are Huang Bowen, Zheng Zhi, Wu Xi, and Zhao Gang, who we have been eagerly anticipating. In Lippi's 442 formation, Zhao Gang should be playing in the right midfielder position, but his range of movement is very wide, and he is very likely to appear in the single attacking midfielder position during the match. We will provide a detailed explanation for everyone in the upcoming match.

The two forwards are Zhang Yuning and Wu Lei.

It should be considered a very classic one fast and one tall combination.

Many fans may be wondering why Zhao Gang, a super forward who has scored 13 goals in 12 Premier League games, is appearing in midfield instead of the forward position.

Actually, we have talked about this issue before. Zhao Gang's position in the frontcourt is very flexible. Because of his ambidexterity and comprehensive skills, he can adapt to almost any position in the midfield and frontcourt.

In Lippi's tactics, he hopes that Zhao Gang can energize the entire team in midfield and provide significant support to his teammates in the forward line, rather than having him directly attack the opponent's goal."

"In other words, he can help the forwards in midfield, but if he's at the front, he's basically useless. No one can pass the ball to him..." Some fans, although very concerned about the national team's matches and very supportive of the Long Country football team, still feel disappointed. Hearing the commentators' words, they couldn't help but complain.

Zhao Gang can be at the front at Manchester City because he has De Bruyne, Silva, and Gundogan making plays for him. If he's at the front in Long Country, he'll probably just be standing there staring blankly. He can only retreat to the midfield.

To put it nicely, he can adapt to all positions in midfield. To put it bluntly, he might die of exhaustion later, having to appear in any midfield position to get the ball.

They say he's a right midfielder, only responsible for crossing from the byline. In a while, he'll be playing as a left midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even a central midfielder, maybe even a winger...

"Alright, viewers, we can already see the players from both sides appearing in the player tunnel. Let us follow the broadcast to Mingkun Stadium to watch this highly anticipated World Cup qualifier!"

Zhao Gang enters the player tunnel, still wearing the number 18 jersey. Lippi had approached him, hoping that he could wear the number 10 jersey, which represents the team's attacking core.

Zheng Zhi himself had no objections and even encouraged Zhao Gang to wear the number 10 for the national team.

Zhao Gang declined. It wasn't that he didn't like the number 10, but he deeply understood the meaning and responsibility of the number 10 jersey.

But he wouldn't fight with others for the number 10 jersey, even if Zheng Zhi agreed, he still wouldn't do it.

Zheng Zhi didn't say anything on the surface about Zhao Gang's refusal, but his impression of Zhao Gang became extremely positive.

This gave Zheng Zhi a great deal of face.

The players from both sides are greeting each other, simple English exchanges. Almost every member of the national team knows some greeting phrases like "Hello."

At this time, there is already a considerable amount of noise from the fans outside.

Wave after wave, each one higher than the last.

Then, the players from both sides enter the stadium.

When the Long Country players enter the stadium, the fans in the stands erupt in thunderous applause and cheers, as the announcer's voice comes from the loudspeakers.

Zhao Gang keeps trying to control his nervous emotions as he walks onto the field. His mind is even a little blank.

He hears familiar shouts, different from in England, as they are calling out his full name.

He sees the red flags waving in the stands, bright and majestic.

Those adorable fans, their faces flushed with excitement, tearing their throats out as they wave their flags and shout, give Zhao Gang goosebumps all over his body.

His eyes also start to tear up.

At this moment, his tense nerves relax.

He is quite certain that no one had as much pressure as he did before the match.

Because the outside world's expectations are too high. Every time he casually browses news about football, he sees countless comments from netizens and fans about him.

In the hearts of these fans, he is like an omnipotent god, who will definitely lead the national team to defeat all opponents.

Therefore, as the match drew closer and closer, he became more and more nervous.

He worried that he would let these people down, causing them disappointment and pain.

Now, these emotions have mostly disappeared.

As Aoli said, only when you face it, when you experience it, is there nothing in this world that should scare you.

The fear in your heart only stems from your own imagination.

Those who support you never intended to put pressure on you. No matter when, they will wave the flag and cheer for you, becoming your strongest support.

After a short opening ceremony for both sides, Qatar chooses sides, and Long Country has possession of the ball.

Zhao Gang stands not far away, not going to kick off. He grabs his jersey, looks at the bright red color on his body, gently kisses the team emblem, and gazes at the black and white football.

"The match between the two sides officially begins!"